Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia secured his third pole of the MotoGP season at Sepang, beating Alex Marquez by 0.016 seconds in qualifying.
DUCATI rider Francesco Bagnaia stormed to his third pole position of the MotoGP season during qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The Italian two-time world champion set a blistering lap time of one minute 57.001 seconds around the Sepang International Circuit.
Bagnaia edged out Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez by a mere 0.016 seconds in a dramatic qualifying session.
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Franco Morbidelli of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secured third position, finishing 0.158 seconds behind the pole-sitter.
Bagnaia’s performance continued Ducati’s strong form despite world champion Marc Marquez being absent due to injury.
The Italian already holds Sepang’s all-time lap record of 1 minute 56.837 seconds, which he set during last year’s event.
“Difficult to explain and, it’s a rollercoaster. I’m happy, but I don’t want to be too calm. I know that this afternoon will be tricky, the conditions are very hot, so it will be important to remain calm and try to understand the situation,” Bagnaia said.
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He credited his team’s morning work with helping improve the Ducati’s performance after Friday’s difficulties.
Several top contenders were forced to contest the first qualifying session after intermittent rain disrupted Friday’s practice.
Indonesia winner Fermin Aldeguer and Motegi winner Bagnaia progressed from Q1 to the final qualifying session.
Aldeguer went quickest in Q1 before crashing at Turn 4, then again in the paddock, though no one was harmed.
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Bagnaia completed just one run in Q2, with his first flying lap securing provisional pole position.
The Italian beat Monster Energy Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo’s early benchmark, with Quartararo eventually finishing fourth.
Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi failed to reach Q2 for the first time since Aragon and will start 14th on the grid.
Luca Marini of Honda HRC Castrol will begin the race from 13th position after also missing out on Q2. – Reuters
